The NEW CHUD.com (Design/Staff/Focus)

We are changing. I know you've noticed. A lot more people seem to like the change than hate it, but obviously some folks miss Devin or Russ or hate the more laid back and playful tone of the site or whatever.

I will use this thread to state facts about things as well as address concerns. That said, the best best BEST place to ASK QUESTIONS is (http://chud.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115386) so it can be read by the masses.

Honestly, I'm trying to hone this thing so that at the end of December not only will be have a new site, new boards, and an iphone app... but also be fully in stride with the staff, their roles, and tons of boutique content (video stuff, lists, editorial stuff, and more) rather than just the news and DVD reviews of stuff you don't seem interested in or belittle the effort that goes into.

Keep in mind, most of you folks don't really support the really special time consuming things all that much with the FB reposts, MB threads, and stuff so it's real hard to put TOO much significance into some of the negative comments (it breaks my heart to put up a big article and watch it diminish into oblivion and I know others do too).

So, here's a quick rundown:

• I plan to have the last volley of MB tweaks approved on Monday. Then that'll be ready for the relaunch.
  
• We are beta testing the backend for the new CHUD and getting closer to making it ready. That'll be a little while longer.
  
• Devin's gone, he ain't coming back. If Devin's all you care about go over to his site but don't act like it's all highbrow and we're garbage. They ran a story about the McRib sandwich today so let's not act like the grass is greener over there. It's just different grass. Nothing wrong with that, but don't overstate things.
  
• If you hate it here. Get the fuck out. Don't have a big dramatic "I'm leaving post". FUCK OFF. Take the self loathing where it belongs.
  
• There's another Skeleton IV article coming this week. Deal with it.

CHUD is about having fun. We're having fun and we're hoping some of it is contagious. Some ideas are going to take time to blossom. Some never will. But we're trying to keep it fun and not be like the other sites. But for every list we do that doesn't connect with you, there'll be three that do. So hang in there puppy.

Also, seriously...

We need the Facebook 'likes' and when you repost an article it makes a big difference. Same goes for Tweets and subscriptions to our newsletter.

Thanks for listening and for the most part I couldn't be happier with this community. A lot of great people. Some that need adjusting a little and some that hurt the overall quality but show me a family that doesn't have that,

More to come. Post here and I will answer.

I take such criticisms differenty from you than say SLATER. I agree for the most part, but I bite my tongue ALL THE TIME and sometimes I just need to vent a little to stay sane.

I know it's not the best thing to do (though sometimes it feels so good I don't care), but I'm not even close to perfect.

The Twitter thing was hilarious! I didn't mean that to be anything but a funny comment. I joked that I was going to have someone take over The Devin's Advocate and never address the fact it's called that. You know, how some stores evolve over time and the significance of the name wanes? But that wasn't me being a dick. That was 100% silliness.

First of all, you need to take blood pressure meds because most of what I've been saying has been very lighthearted and silly and people who send you links are just little kiss-ups who you ought to know exist only to stir the pot. The Skeleton IV joke wasn't about your beloved column but the way it'd send trolls into a conniption. It truly had nothing to do with you and if you'd lighten up you'd get that. I cracked one 'deadbeat' joke, which is wholly in my power to do because of how loony that whole situation is.

In truth what the fuck have I been saying? Nothing. So take a dump and loosen up.

Second of all, I don't allude that this site is important. I'm just making a point when people say that your site is some highbrow blahblahblah (and your passive aggressive posts about how sites who run Variety news are dogshit) and we're not... they're all just sites. You can run a McRib review and it's acceptable and I can take license plate photos [you pick the weirdest shit to deride] and it's fine. The grass isn't greener over at your blog, just different. That was the point I made with class and aplomb.

As for supporting one another, I've gone on record about five times on the site and podcast saying how happy for you I am, even after the 'incident'. I fucking linked to your site in the last Steady Leak, when all CHUD gets from you a non-linking mention in offhand remarks. I am proud of you and happy for you but it doesn't excuse me from realizing that once I wasn't of value to you, you because an absolute asshole to me. Still, I am proud of you.

[things I want to say but won't]

But it's not like I'm talking about you behind your back. I'm cracking little jokes because I do that shit all the time. Levity is all I have against the bullshit that went down.

Thirdly, way to jab at Grim Reaper. Seriously. Classy.

Fourth of all, your MB account is closed because frankly, I'm tired of being reminded of the big mistake I made.

BYE.


Note to people sending Devin links: What size skirt do you wear?

Sorry about that, folks...

Back on point.

We will be starting to announce the new features of the site and boards on Monday.

We're truly in the home stretch. Furious emails going back between the 6 or so of us trying to tie all of these threads together. I am SO excited for the new site.

Not liking the Steve?